The 7 Scariest Movie Dystopias

Overpopulation is a huge concern. In this 1973 sci-fi classic, overcrowding has grown to the point that there is no premium on human life. Suicide is even encouraged. The 99% live on soylent green, a food allegedly made from plankton. In one of the biggest spoilers in film history, it’s revealed the tasteless treat society is surviving on is made from people... from people. As if dying isn't bad enough knowing that friends and neighbors might be munching on your remains would leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth.

2

Logan's Run

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer via Everett Collection

As if there wasn't enough pressure placed on twentysomethings, imagine being killed as soon as you hit 30. This cult classic finds most of society's problems solved. People get to live to the fullest... until their life clocks run out. Plus, the clock is a huge jewel on your hand that is only important when it reminds you you're going to die. Not only is this society run by a super computer but an entire life cycle defined by YOLO is a bone-chilling thought.

3

Running Man

TriStar Pictures via Everett Collection

Before American television became enslaved by reality television, this Arnold Schwarzenegger film made some startling predictions. The economy crashes, crime rises, and society becomes a police state. Television becomes overrun by a reality series The Running Man. Convicts must fight assassins for their freedom, or die for the nation's entertainment. Will the final seasons of The Amazing Race and Real Housewives of Atlanta incorporate a fight to the death? Or maybe, if we’re lucky, Keeping up with the Kardashians?

article continues below ad

4

Idiocracy

20th Century Fox Film via Everett Collection

This forgettable Luke Wilson comedy is disturbingly on point. As smart professionals opt for careers over kids, idiots are having children by the truckload. #mtvteenmom What happens when society is slowly overrun by stupid people? People are so stupid that they would rather watch 12 television channels at once over a meal of butter than concern themselves with water shortages and agriculture. The scariest part of this movie is how accurate it has proven to be. After all, Honey Boo Boo has the ears of the nation.

5

Minority Report

20th Century Fox Film via Everett Collection

Murder sucks. That’s a given. But what if it could be avoided entirely? Imagine rejects from the Matrix predicting murders before they happen. But what does that mean for free will? One potential outcome defines the entirety of someone's life. Can these people be trusted if they're floating around in a bizarre swimming pool all day? A world without murder is great, but not if that world is also without constitutional rights and reasonable doubt. Scariest of all, Tom Cruise is in charge of keeping people in line. Don’t be glib, America.

6

Wall-E

Walt Disney Pictures via Everett Collection

Despite being a sweet cartoon, this movie creates a scary view of the future. The earth is uninhabitable because of overconsumption and pollution. The last remaining humans board a ship under the care of an artificially intelligent pilot. Humans are lulled into a false sense of security with flying chairs, high-caloric snacks, and constant ADD-friendly television. They slowly devolve to lose bone and muscle mass and become accustomed to no real human interaction. What’s startling is that this ship bears a striking resemblance to your average cruise liner.

article continues below ad

7

Elysium

Sony Pictures via Everett Collection

This suspenseful Matt Damon action film takes class and race issues of today to a sickening potential conclusion. Earth becomes barely habitable, so the wealthy build the space station Elysium and leave the poor behind. They have wealth, an abundance of food and resources, and medical care that allows them to cure any illness. Meanwhile, on Earth, the remaining people struggle to survive on medical care that's questionable by today's standards. Immigration becomes a planetary issue as people try to sneak onto Elysium for better lives. Maybe they should have called this movie Arizona.